Coach Walter Lee Johnson, Washington Parish High School
Coach Walter Lee Johnson attended Allen Parish Training School in Oakdale, Louisiana. He attended Southern University in Baton Rouge and his education was interrupted by World War II when he served as a medical technician. Coach Johnson was inducted into the Southern University Hall of Fame for football, baseball and track; he was honored as a “Living Legend” at Southern University.
Coach Johnson continued to show mastery as an educator and athletic leader, football and basketball, when he arrived in Franklinton, Louisiana in 1951 at Washington Parish High School. He presented his Washington Parish High School Tigers as a state contender four years after his arrival in state championship competition in the L.I.A.L.O.
Coach Johnson had education aspirations which he demonstrated in 1965 by receiving a master’s degree at University of Colorado in 1965 and a specialist degree in 1973 from southeastern University in Hammond, Louisiana.
Coach Johnson demonstrated his organizational skills by serving two consecutive terms as National President of the Southern University National Alumni Federation, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity membership, 32nd Degree Mason along other positions in his church and as a local president of the Washington Parish Southern University Alumni organization.
In addition to serving as the first African American principal of Franklinton High School, Mr. Johnson participated in local community organizations ranging from the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Habitat for Humanity, Child Care Food Program, Rod and Gun Club to the Boy Scout Troup 49.
African American High Schools in Louisiana Before 1970 